Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2005 Oct;48(10):1228-1234.
Clinical Study of Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. leeent2@naver.com
Abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is recognized as a potentially aggressive and commonly fatal fungal infection. The classic presentation involves nasal mucosa and the invasion of the paranasal sinuses and orbit. Treatment includes aggressive debridement, systemic antifungal therapy, and control of underlying comorbid factors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feature of rhinocerebral mucormycosis and to determine relationships among the underlying disease, extent of mucormycosis, initial time of surgical intervention and prognosis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Five cases of mucormycosis were retrospectively reviewed. Prognosis was analyzed according to predisposing factors including the underlying disease, extent of disease and intial time of surgical intervention. Resuits: A 5-year overall survival rate of the patients with mucormycosis was 60%. There was significant survival gain in the group for which the underlying disease was well controlled and extent of disease was limited, No significant difference in survival was observed according to duration between symptom onset and surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Survival is usually determined at the very early period of treatment. The most important prognostic factor is optimal control of the underlying disease and extent of disease.
